Energy crops have been a major flop with farmers – here's why

May 27, 2016 15:33 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Whatever happened to energy crops? A decade ago, the UK authorities confidently expected farmers to devote swaths of land to growing the likes of short-rotation willow and poplar and perennial grasses. These were to help...

Oil in Global Economy Series

Higher oil prices could see return of inflationary pressures to Asia

May 27, 2016 11:10 am UTC| Insights & Views

In emerging Asia, oil prices constitute a significant proportion of production costs for many items with large weights in the CPI baskets. Inflationary pressures are set to return to Asia as oil and food prices edge...

Emerging Market Crisis Series

Impeachment, culture wars and the politics of identity in Brazil

May 27, 2016 09:01 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Brazil is in the midst of its worst political crisis since the 1960s and possibly its most severe economic downturn in the last 100 years. The economy will not and cannot improve until the country emerges from the...

Is a tuition-free policy enough to ensure college success?

May 27, 2016 08:54 am UTC| Insights & Views Life

Across the U.S., many soon-to-be high school graduates are excited to begin college. Over the past decades, rates of college enrollment have increased. In 1950, only 16 percent of young people had at least some college...

Climate Change Series

Climate change, tourism and the Great Barrier Reef: what we know

May 27, 2016 08:49 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

The removal of an entire section on the Great Barrier Reef from an international report on World Heritage and climate change has been justified by the Australian government because of the impact on tourism. The Guardian...

Patients with 'exceptional responses' to treatment could hold secret to new cancer cures

May 27, 2016 08:22 am UTC| Insights & Views Health

Most cancer specialists indeed, most doctors have treated patients who respond to treatment in unexpected ways. Known as exceptional responders, the experiences of these patients and their doctors are generally relegated...

Iran's Rouhani may now control parliament, but do his economic reforms stand a chance?

May 27, 2016 06:30 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his policies are set to get a boost this week after voters elected a parliament that favors reform. While Rouhanis reformists didnt win a majority of seats, it appears likely that...